Lighting up the Blog-o-sphere one flicker at a time, 2/23/12

Welcome to my weekly adventure to “Occupy the Blog-o-Sphere” each Thursday. I offer this hopefully uplifting and picture and quote to brighten your day and bring something buoyant into your life. As you move through your day with a renewed outlook, may you pass it along.

In Buddhism, there is a practice called Mettā, orLoving Kindness. The focus is to cultivate friendship and peace with all living beings, including yourself. Often done in the form of a meditation, it is really a way of living described by the Buddha in the following Sutta (written collection of Buddha’s teachings).

This is what should be done By one who is skilled in goodness, And who knows the path of peace: … Wishing: In gladness and in safety, May all beings be at ease.

Whatever living beings there may be; Whether they are weak or strong, omitting none, The great or the mighty, medium, short or small,

The seen and the unseen, Those living near and far away, Those born and to-be-born – May all beings be at ease!

Let none deceive another, Or despise any being in any state. Let none through anger or ill-will Wish harm upon another.

Even as a mother protects with her life Her child, her only child, So with a boundless heart Should one cherish all living beings;

Radiating kindness over the entire world Spreading upwards to the skies, And downwards to the depths; Outwards and unbounded, Freed from hatred and ill-will.

Whether standing or walking, seated or lying down Free from drowsiness, One should sustain this recollection. This is said to be the sublime abiding….

While this may sound divine, it is challenging to practice on a day-to-day basis. I know. I falter often. But I also know that this practice is always there, available for me to befriend myself and others.

I hope the wisdom of this practice of Mettā in the Buddha’s words helps you to be more loving and kind to yourself and others around you.

Click on this link to find out more about joining this cyber-movement and decide if you want to spread the light, too.

For a place to begin learning about a Loving Kindness Meditation Practice, click here.

“May all beings be at ease” – this is my favorite line. When peace and tranquilty surround us we, too, can be at ease.
It’s a meaningful way to approach our lives. As difficult as it might be to do; it is a goal one should try to master.
Namaste ….

Divine thoughts indeed. They are very much like the stars above us – beyond our reach as mortals, but ever present, providing direction and guidance as we negotiate our pathway through this life.

Kindness – this one costs so little of the giver, and yet brings so much back in return. But I agree, it is not always easy, and we need constant reminders to stay on track. Thanks for giving me food for thought on this day.